Daufuskie ferry more likely next year

A bill, H.3773, was introduced this year in order to tap the U.S. Federal Highway Administration for help in coordinating a solution to ferry transit to and from the eight-square-mile island between Tybee and Hilton Head islands.

As lawmakers finish up the state budget this month, the legislation has been sitting untouched for weeks in a Senate committee.

Newton described the proposal, as “an effort to keep the issue in front of the state and federal highway folks, transportation folks, (to say) that we do have a problem, and the state and the Feds need to step up and take a bigger role.”

Daufuskie, which has no bridge to the mainland, is home to an estimated 200-400 residents and in April hosted the 5th Annual Marsh Tacky Beach Races.

The resolution, which is not binding, states: “... It is necessary that the U.S. Department of Transportation and its component, the Federal Highway Administration, take a leading role to get all those involved to agree on the way forward for obtaining this long sought and absolutely necessary service for the residents of Daufuskie Island and for visitors to the island.”

In November voters defeated a referendum by a vote of 60-41 to create a special tax district to upgrade passenger ferry service. Some had objected to it, charging that taxpayers would wind up footing the bill for real estate and development interests.

How to provide for regular ferry transit isn’t the only challenge facing the islanders.

A growing problem with trash removal, the threat of saltwater intrusion into drinking water wells, and erosion also figure into community planning.